Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has always been known for speaking his mind. Whether on the cricket field or behind the commentary mic, he doesn’t shy away from telling it like it is.
But did that honesty cost him his spot in the IPL 2025 commentary team? A new interview from the Sydney Test has brought fresh details to light—and the cricket world is buzzing.
When the IPL 2025 commentary panel was announced earlier this year, fans quickly noticed a missing name—Irfan Pathan. Social media lit up with questions: Was it scheduling issues? Personal reasons? Or something deeper?
Whispers soon began circulating that his absence might be linked to his past remarks about Rohit Sharma. For months, there was no direct confirmation—until now.
Pathan Breaks His Silence
In a candid conversation with Media, Pathan finally addressed the rumours. He made it clear that as a commentator, his loyalty is to the fans, not the players.
“The duty of a commentator is to tell the story beyond what is visible… If a player can’t perform, you must criticize him. Our responsibility is to the fans,” Pathan said.
That statement alone tells you why he’s built a reputation as one of the most straightforward voices in Indian cricket broadcasting.
So where does Rohit Sharma come into the picture? The story goes back to the 2024–25 season, where Rohit struggled in Test cricket—managing only 164 runs in eight matches, with just one half-century.
Pathan, during his commentary stints, didn’t sugarcoat the situation:
“Rohit Sharma is a stellar white-ball player. However, his Test average that year was just six. If he weren’t the captain, he wouldn’t have secured a spot in the playing XI.”
It’s the kind of blunt truth that makes fans nod but can make administrators and insiders uncomfortable. In a sport where big names often get the benefit of the doubt, Pathan’s comment stood out for its boldness.
During the Sydney Test, Pathan interviewed Rohit after the latter decided to skip the final match of the series. On camera, he was respectful and supportive—after all, the Indian skipper was his guest. But off-camera, Pathan maintains, he was equally honest about Rohit’s form.
“People said we were supporting him too much. But when someone is your guest, you speak politely. Even then, internally, we had said Rohit should keep fighting—but he didn’t merit a place in the side if not captaining.”
It’s a tricky balance—being diplomatic for broadcast yet holding strong cricketing opinions. And that’s exactly where the tension seems to have come from.
Pathan hasn’t outright said that his remarks about Rohit led to him being dropped from the IPL commentary panel—but he has hinted that being too truthful on air can have consequences.
The IPL is a huge commercial event, and commentators are often expected to keep things positive—especially when talking about star players. Pathan’s straight-shooting style may not have fit that mould this time around.
Whether Irfan Pathan’s absence from IPL commentary was really about Rohit Sharma or just a coincidence, one thing is certain—his comments have sparked a much-needed conversation about the role of commentators in cricket.
Do we want them to be cheerleaders or truth-tellers? Pathan’s stance makes his answer clear: he’ll always choose truth, even if it costs him a prime-time Job.
